Gyratory toy adapted to be worn about the user&#39;s waist



L. S. GAGE April 20, 1965 GYRATORY TOY ADAPTED TO BE WORN ABOUT THE USERS WAIST Filed March 29, 1962 INVENTOR. /wmr/ 5 Kaye, 5%,; /2/4 immfZ/awm/ United States Patent 3,178,851 GYRATORY TOY ADAPTED TO BE WORN ABOUT THE USERS WAIST Leonard S. Gage, 10316 S. Ogleby, Chicago 17, Ill. Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 183,559 2 Claims. (Cl. 46-51) This invention relates to a new toy or recreational device, and more particularly to a new toy for use in dancing or exercising.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is .to provide a toy for use in dancing that will increase the enjoyment of both participants and spectators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy for use in exercising to make it less arduous and more enjoyable.

These and other objects are accomplished by the toy of the present invention which in its preferred embodiment comprises three arm members attached to a belt and secured to a persons torso at, preferably, the right and left hips, and the small of the back. Each of these arms has a rotatable action member eccentrically attached to the other end of the arm such that when a rotational movement is applied to the arms by the torso, the action member will rotate in a like manner in a plane which is generally parallel to the torsos plane of rotation. Thus, this invention will provide an enjoyable and entertaining means of exercise and dancing for .both participants and spectators.

The device embodying this invention, both as to its construction and method of operation, taken with further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connecti-on with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view illustrating the actual operation of the preferred embodiment of this toy in dancing or exercising;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of one toy member of this embodiment;

FIGURE 3 is a view in side elevation of this toy memher; and

'FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of this toy member.

The toy seen in FIGURE 1 is referred to generally by the reference numeral 8 and is comprised of three arm assemblies 10 attached to a body belt 1 8 secured to a persons torso and positioned at, preferably, the right and left hips, and the small of the back. Each of the arm assemblies 10 has a rotatable action member 20 eccentrically attached thereto such that when a rotational movement is applied to the arm assemblies 10 by the torso, the action members 20 will rotate in a plane which is generally parallel to the torsos plane of rotation.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, each arm assembly 10 of the present invention includes an outwardly or radially extending arm member 12. having a downwardly extending hook portion 14 at the inner end thereof with two slots 16 therein.- The slots 16 permit the lacing of a belt '18 through the book 14 to provide means for attaching the arm assemblies 10 to the torso. This prevents any possibility that the arm 12 might work its Way free of the torso during dancing or exercising.

At the other outer end of the arm 12 is a rotatable action member with the general configuration of a flat [hoop 20. The action member 20 is eccentrically connected to the outer end of the arm 12 by a downwardly extending pin member 22 which is secured to the end of 3,178,851 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 arm 12 by passing it through a hole 24 in the rim 26 of the action member 20. This pin 22 extends downwardly from, and is substantially perpendicular to, the arm 12 and has a head 28 on its free end to prevent the action member from falling off the pin 22.-

It is desirable that the pin 22 extend downwardly and not upwardly from the arm 12 to obviate any interference between the act-ion member 20 and the arm 12 insofar as the action member 20 tends to dip down during pauses in rotation.

Although the preferred embodiment of this invention employs an action member 20 with the general configuration of a flat hoop, any geometric shape desired could be used as long as it is eccentrically associated with the pin 22 of the arm to allow for its rotation when the arm 12 is rotated.

The entire apparatus can be manufactured from any convenient material, but the preferred embodiment is molded from a plastic because of its low .cost and of the relative ease of manufacture and fabrication.

In preparation for the operation of the toy 8 as illustrated :by FIGURE 1, three arm assemblies 10 are laced on a belt '18 through the slots 16 in each of the hooked portions 14 on the arms 12 and the belt 18 is wrapped around the torso and joined at its ends by any appropriate means to securely hold the arm assemblies 10 to th torso. The arm assemblies 10 are adjusted on the belt 18 to position them on the right and left hips and on the small of the back.

The torso is then rotationally or otherwise moved to produce a movement which is translated through the arms 12 and pins 22 to the action members 20 which, because of their eccentric association with the pins 22, cause the action members '20 to smoothly and rhythmically rotate about the pins 22 to the amusement and entertainment of the dancer, exerciser, and spectators.

Although three arm assemblies are used in the preferred embodiment which are positioned about the torso in specific positions, any number of arm assemblies 10 could be used and positioned around the torso in any manner desired.

In addition, this toy 8 can be used not only in association with the torso, but can also be used in any combination in association with any other part of the body capable of imparting a rotational movement to the action member 20.

While the embodiment described herein is at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a gyratory toy to be worn by the user, the combination of a torso belt to be secured to the torso and one or more arm assemblies removably attached to said torso belt and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each said arm assembly includes an elongate arm member extending substantially horizontally and outwardly from the torso, attachment means removably securing one end of said arm member to said torso belt, said attachment means providing the sole support for said arm member, a generally planar action member having a hole in an outer portion thereof, and vertical axle means rotatably but securely attaching said action member to the opposite end of said arm member through said hole for continuous and substantially horizontal rotation of said action mem- 2,071,041 2/37 Maggie 46 -5 1 X her about said axle means, lwliereby movement of the 2,109,788 6/38 Worst 46-47 torso will produce an eccent'nically rotationaland enter- 2,112,444 3/68 Mo'Farlin 46-47 taining movement of said action member. 2,987,231 6/61 Lewis 224-25 2. The gyratory toy of claim 1, wherein said action 5 3,051,482 8/6 2 Ha'rpham 27257 X member has a generally flat hoop configuration. 3,098,316 7 /63 McCarthy 46-47 X References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 420,423 11/ 34 Great Britain. 4,374,842 4/21., Bowie X 10 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Eacamzner.

1,753,309 4/ 30 Costello 272-80 X' JAMES-W. LOVE, Examiner; 

1. IN A GYRATORY TOY TO BE WORN BY THE USER, THE COMBINATION OF A TORSO BELT TO SECURED TO THE TORSO AND ONE OR MORE ARM ASSEMBLIES REMOVABLY ATTACHED TO SAID TORSO BELT AND EXTENDING REMOVABLY ATTACHED TO SAID EACH SAID ARM ASSEMBLY INCLUDES AN ELONGATE ARM MEMBER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY AND OUTWARDLY FROM THE TOSRO, ATTACHMENT MEANS REMOVABLY SECURING ONE END OF SAID ARM MEMBER TO SAID TORSO BELT, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS PROVIDING THE SOLE SUPPORT FOR SAID ARM MEMBER, A GENEALLY PLANAR ACTION MEMBER HAVING A HOLE IN ONE OUTER PORTION THEREOF, AND VERTICAL AXLE MEANS ROTATABLY BUT SECURELY ATTACHING SAID ACTION MEMBER TO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID ARM MEMBER THROUGH SAID HOLE FOR CONTINUOUS AND SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL ROTATION OF SAID ACTION MEMBER ABOUT SAID AXLE MEANS, WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF THE TORSO WILL PRODUCE AN ECCENTRICALLY ROTATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTION MEMBER. 